LOUD AND PROUD: The Dropkicks’ “
Pipebomb on Lansdowne” was a fitting closer
for Avalon. |
Eight years ago, Boston’s Dropkick Murphys recorded “Pipebomb on Lansdowne,” a punk-Celtic rock fantasy about blowing up the Lyons Group club complex that housed Avalon and Axis. It also was the first song they played at the club — some 30 shows ago. And it was the last song they played at the club last Sunday, as Avalon and its sister clubs had their swan song. The strip will be rebuilt as a multi-use club/theater/restaurant facility set to open in mid 2008. (The show began with a video of various demolition scenes.)
Patrick Lyons was up in the owners’ box Sunday, feeling reflective, a little blue and gray. “Of course I’m sad. We’ve seen a lot of shows in this room.” Said room opened as Avalon in 1999, but the strip of clubs has seen live music under various venue names going back to the Boston Tea Party in the late ’60s. This won’t be the end of live music on Lansdowne. “It’ll be better,” Lyons said. “Like George Harrison said, ‘All things must pass.’ ”
The Murphys played it loud and proud, with more than 100 friends and fans — including their kilted fife-and-drum corps — joining them on stage at the end. There was a lot of moshing in the crowd, and a bit of stage diving, but no violence. The set included a cover of Johnny Thunders’ “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory.” And when it ended, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” came over the sound system.
“It’s bittersweet,” Lyons reflected. Lyons Group VP Mindy d’Arbeloff danced and snapped digital pictures. Springa, former singer for hardcore punk band SSD, said, “I saw the history of rock and roll unfold right here. I’ve snuck in; I’ve been thrown out; Lansdowne Street was a big fuckin’ dugout.”
